Liverpool clear out: Reds to axe SIX in final weeks of transfer window, including shock defender exit & strike duo

Brendan Rodgers will embark on a major Liverpool clear out in the final weeks of the summer transfer window as he aims to get a number of unwanted players off his wage bill.

The Reds have been busy in the transfer market this summer, bringing in a host of new names including big-money buys like Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino.

Rodgers now needs to balance the books at Anfield by offloading some well-paid players who are out of favour, with these six believed to be in the firing line, based on recent reports:

1) Mario Balotelli

Linked with the likes of AS Roma and Sampdoria, a return to Serie A looks highly likely for Mario Balotelli, who had a seriously disappointing first season with Liverpool and who is surely now down in the pecking order after new arrivals up front.